Comparison of juvenile wood depictions to wood property maps from mature longleaf pine
Abstract
Early illustrations of juvenile wood in hard pines have depicted a central core of wood, varying little by diameter or cambial age, to be nested within mature wood tapering to the upper portion of the stem; other depictions show greater complexity in attributing the variability of this central core of wood with its proximity to the crown and/or actual maturity of the tree when the wood was formed. The present discussion addresses the degree to which different representations of juvenile wood (corewood) are applicable to mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) trees. Wood property maps were derived from X-ray densitometry data gathered from different tree heights. Results suggest that the more complex illustrations of juvenile wood appear to align with the study trees, attributable in part to their maturity, and near maximum attainable height.